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19th January 2009 Book & Documentary Film release

by anuja — last modified 2009-01-21 11:36

Inauguration of the 3 series book ‘The Non Pastoral Nomads of Maharashtra’ – a community in Transition and the documentary film ‘Who am I?’ by Dr. Swayam Panda (Ex-Director Research NT/DNT Commission)

On 19^th January at 10.00 while inaugurating the three series book ‘The Non Pastoral Nomads of Maharashtra’ – a community in Transition Dr. Swayam Panda appreciated the 4 major aspects which are covered in this book stating that these issues are not only important for the Non Pastoral but for all the Nomadic Communities wherever they are. Dr. Swayam Panda also appreciated the process that was involved in this study and that at every level Community was involved. This involvement of the Community is conspicuous by its absence at the Government level. He also said that today there is no data available at Government level and therefore there is no planning happening for their development. While talking of the process ahead he said

The sedentary population looks at the Nomadism of the Nomadic community as a problem instead of understanding it as part of livelihood strategy, it feels that the development can only reach these communities if they are made to settled.
Children of Davri-gosavi can become doctor, engineer or profess any other profession including that of Davri-gosavi, thus the community should be able to enjoy this constitutional right to movement and thus legal professions need to be supported and encouraged.
Maharashtra being a progressive state it has an independent department of NT/DNT and thus NGOs need to see how such a department can be make more productive
The book has focused on quantative aspects there is further need to look deeper into the qualitative aspects.

The issues highlighted in the three series book ‘The Non Pastoral Nomads of Maharashtra’ – a community in Transition are realities faced by the entire Nomad population in the country as it focuses on the following aspects and clarifies contemporary scenario:

Socio Economic situation of 23 communities like Vaidu, Davrigosavi and Pardhi out of the 42 Non Pastoral Nomadic Communities of Maharashtra
Education
Access to Health System and
Livelihood scenario: looking at the present status of their traditional professions and exploration of new professions based on their traditional skills

On the same occasion the synopsis of the study was published in Marathi by two community representatives Jyoti Bhosle and Kuldeep Rathod titled ‘Sankraman avasthethi- Biger pashu palak Bhatke Jamati’

This was followed by the inauguration of Documentry film ‘Who Am I?’ reviewed by Dr. Meena Radhakrishna, Dept. of Sociology, Delhi University, where she says ‘The film is chronicle of despair and hope of nightmares and dreams. I think the film is beautifully made and brought into focus some important aspects of the community in question it also highlights the realisation of a women member from the community of realisation of her rights and a promise to her self that her life will be better and different then her parents.